Iran vows to take Saudi rulers to court over Hajj disaster
Saturday, 26 September 2015
TEHRAN, Sept 26: Iran's state prosecutor says he will pursue legal action against Saudi Arabia's rulers in international courts over the crush of pilgrims at this year's hajj, which killed more than 700 people, including 136 Iranians.
Ebrahim Raisi, speaking on state TV Saturday, called the disaster "a crime" subject to prosecution. He said Saudi authorities blocked a road used by Hajj pilgrims to allow a royal convoy to pass through, causing the deadly convergence of two waves of pilgrims going in opposite directions.
At least 769 pilgrims suffocated or were trampled to death. Iranians comprise the largest group of casualties identified so far. Iranian state TV says Ghazanfar Roknabadi, a former ambassador to Lebanon, as well as two Iranian state TV reporters and a prominent political analyst are among those still missing. Iran also demanded on Friday that it and other affected countries be represented in the Saudi investigation into the stampede.
"Countries such as Iran, which have suffered so much, should be represented in the inquiry to determine the causes of the catastrophe and to gain assurances that it will not be repeated in the future," First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said after an extraordinary session of the cabinet, according to the website ARUTZ SHEVA.
"There is no question about the poor management" of the pilgrimage and the "inexperience of security personnel" on the ground at the time, he added.
"The Saudi government is responsible and must respond," he said.--AP
"Countries such as Iran, which have suffered so much, should be represented in the inquiry to determine the causes of the catastrophe and to gain assurances that it will not be repeated in the future," First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said after an extraordinary session of the cabinet, according to the website ARUTZ SHEVA.
"There is no question about the poor management" of the pilgrimage and the "inexperience of security personnel" on the ground at the time, he added.
"The Saudi government is responsible and must respond," he said.--AP
Ends/AR/Sept 26, 2015